IRVINE, CA (June 17, 2014): On Monday, June 16, 2014, the Irvine Police Department received information that a high school teacher may have been involved in an inappropriate relationship with one of his students. The report came from the victim’s parents who found a string of suspicious text messages between suspect, Michael Granger and the student. Further investigation by the parents into their child’s social media accounts revealed a number of concerning interactions including exchanges indicating there had been a physical contact between them.

Information about the student is not being released.

Irvine Police Detectives arrested Michael Jay Granger, 9/5/1981, late Monday night for lewd conduct with a child following an investigation into the allegations. Granger was booked into the Orange County Jail on $100,000 bail.

Granger has had contact with the victim since the beginning of the school year, September 2013, when the victim was 15 years old. Granger is an employee of the Irvine Unified School District where he works as an English teacher at University High School. The Irvine Police Department continues to work closely with the Irvine Unified School District. At this time, there is no indication of additional victims.

Anyone with information should contact Detective John Sanders at 949-724-7244 or jsanders@cityofirvine.org.

Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 242,651, spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Orange County Great Park – the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century. For more information, please visit cityofirvine.org.